Published: Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 8:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 8:08 p.m.

The children’s museum in Thibodaux is hosting a summer camp as its staff prepares to open either late summer or early fall.

“Our building has been complete for quite some time, even though the exhibits aren’t open yet,” said the museum’s director Christy Naquin. “We still thought we had a responsibility to bring in some children and do some programs with them. ... It was also a good opportunity for us to showcase what you might find inside the museum.”

The 12,700-square-foot Bayou Country Children’s Museum is complete — including the birthday party room, the mini theater, the gift shop and the conference room, Naquin said. But fabricators are building the exhibits, the essential part of the museum, in Charlotte, N.C. They plan to have 35 exhibits.

The museum, which exists thanks to private donations, does not yet have a grand opening date, but founders expect to open their doors by early September. There will be a few pre-opening parties, such as a members-only opening for families and a sponsors’ party for their adult donors, Naquin said.

“That also gives us a chance to get some of the kinks out before our grand opening,” she said.

The camp is able to take five more kids, ages 5-12, each for the weeks of July 15-19 and July 22-26. It costs $75 per child, and parents can sign up at www.bccm.info.

About 160 kids have signed up so far, Naquin said.

Each week of camp has a theme, planned out by Missy Loupe, the museum’s education and program coordinator. This week, the children are on a “Passport Adventure” as they learn about countries such as Mexico, China, Australia and Ireland. Graduate students and professors from Nicholls State University’s Education Department have begun each day this week with a lesson about 30 minutes long introducing campers to the country of the day. Campers cook food from each country, make a craft and sometimes do a science experiment, Loupe said.

“Safety Week” is June 24-28, which gives campers a chance to listen to public safety officials and explore their emergency vehicles. Acadian Ambulance and Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department officials will speak to the kids, and Lafourche sheriff’s deputies will teach water safety, bike safety and self-defense, Loupe said.

“Let’s Get Fit Week,” from July 8-12, is for kids with or without athletic experience, she said. Nicholls football players and a coach will come by to work with the kids. Teachers of yoga, Zumba, soccer and line dancing, among others, will participate at the museum on Rue Betancourt that week.

“It will introduce them to other types of exercises they weren’t familiar with,” Loupe said.

“Louisiana Week,” from July 15-19, will incorporate the kinds of activities similar to “Passport Adventures” — cooking, crafts, music, science and talks from cultural experts. The most popular week is “Fun With Food Week,” from July 22-26, where volunteers will teach kids food-related science experiments, Loupe said.

Staff Writer Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at 448-7617 or katie.urbaszewski@dailycomet.com.

<p>The children's museum in Thibodaux is hosting a summer camp as its staff prepares to open either late summer or early fall.</p><p>“Our building has been complete for quite some time, even though the exhibits aren't open yet,” said the museum's director Christy Naquin. “We still thought we had a responsibility to bring in some children and do some programs with them. ... It was also a good opportunity for us to showcase what you might find inside the museum.”</p><p>The 12,700-square-foot Bayou Country Children's Museum is complete — including the birthday party room, the mini theater, the gift shop and the conference room, Naquin said. But fabricators are building the exhibits, the essential part of the museum, in Charlotte, N.C. They plan to have 35 exhibits.</p><p>The museum, which exists thanks to private donations, does not yet have a grand opening date, but founders expect to open their doors by early September. There will be a few pre-opening parties, such as a members-only opening for families and a sponsors' party for their adult donors, Naquin said.</p><p>“That also gives us a chance to get some of the kinks out before our grand opening,” she said.</p><p>The camp is able to take five more kids, ages 5-12, each for the weeks of July 15-19 and July 22-26. It costs $75 per child, and parents can sign up at www.bccm.info.</p><p>About 160 kids have signed up so far, Naquin said.</p><p>Each week of camp has a theme, planned out by Missy Loupe, the museum's education and program coordinator. This week, the children are on a “Passport Adventure” as they learn about countries such as Mexico, China, Australia and Ireland. Graduate students and professors from Nicholls State University's Education Department have begun each day this week with a lesson about 30 minutes long introducing campers to the country of the day. Campers cook food from each country, make a craft and sometimes do a science experiment, Loupe said.</p><p>“Safety Week” is June 24-28, which gives campers a chance to listen to public safety officials and explore their emergency vehicles. Acadian Ambulance and Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department officials will speak to the kids, and Lafourche sheriff's deputies will teach water safety, bike safety and self-defense, Loupe said.</p><p>“Let's Get Fit Week,” from July 8-12, is for kids with or without athletic experience, she said. Nicholls football players and a coach will come by to work with the kids. Teachers of yoga, Zumba, soccer and line dancing, among others, will participate at the museum on Rue Betancourt that week.</p><p>“It will introduce them to other types of exercises they weren't familiar with,” Loupe said.</p><p>“Louisiana Week,” from July 15-19, will incorporate the kinds of activities similar to “Passport Adventures” — cooking, crafts, music, science and talks from cultural experts. The most popular week is “Fun With Food Week,” from July 22-26, where volunteers will teach kids food-related science experiments, Loupe said.</p><p>Staff Writer Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at 448-7617 or katie.urbaszewski@dailycomet.com.</p>